AbstractTo reduce energy consumption, it is important to increase the efficiency of gears used for power transmission. In the present work, the efficiencies of gear drives with standard and profile shifted involute gears are measured by changing the type of lubricating oil. A new equation for calculating efficiency is derived by taking into account the additional friction torque that depends on the shape of the teeth. The efficiencies calculated with the new equation agree well with those obtained by experiments conducted using two planetary gear drives with different tooth shapes and with different reduction ratios (u = 4. 89 and 151). The new equation is applicable to the design of gear drives with higher efficiency.